Advice to Aspiring Student Performers

For singers, dancers, and performing artists of all types there can be no greater joy than following
their passions. After all the singing lessons have been completed, all of the dance auditions have been held, and
all of the art portfolios have been submitted, though, aspiring artists should carefully consider their choice in
performing arts schools.

Those students who carefully consider their options and work towards getting accepted by
the biggest names in their field stand to greatly benefit in their career. In fact, despite increased competition,
the US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that there will be an 11 percent increase in performance art job
availability between 2008 and 2018. The reasoning behind this is that due to all of the electronic media outlets and
advanced technology, there are more advertising venues to promote theater, thereby resulting in a boost in ticket
sales back at the box office.

Like the old saying says, there are three key elements to consider when applying for performing arts
colleges: “location, location, location.” While the cost and coursework are crucial, schools located in
or near major metropolitan centers like as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Boston should be at the top of any
applicant’s list. A metropolitan area ensures a better selection of internships and other job opportunities
which help students establish connections in the field.

It is also important to look at the school’s curriculum to make sure you have the proper training to make your
skills stand out among the crowd once your formal studies are completed. Look at
Sacred Heart University,
for example, which exposes students to one-on-one lessons and encourages their students to perform in front of an
audience with the many ensembles and theater opportunities throughout the school year. Sacred Heart University
prepares their students in the fields of music and theater to develop their interests, talents and skills so that
each student will have practical experience in which they can draw on later in their career.

To remain competitive, students that have made up their minds about applying to a performing arts school should have
a portfolio as strong as their passion. This portfolio does not have to include every piece you have ever recorded,
composed, or performed. Instead, students should emphasize those aspects of their portfolio that make them unique.
Singers should demonstrate their range, artists their versatility, and everyone should include awards they have
received from competitions.

Those who need to put together an audition should think about their selection of performance pieces well in advance.
Any audition piece needs to be perfected and practiced as much as possible, because you need to “wow”
the admissions personnel. Applicants should play their strengths and follow their heart–passion, devotion, and
enthusiasm shines through in any performance.

As you interview date approaches, you may want to prepare a sample audio tape or video that you can provide to the
admissions people after your audition so that they can review your talent even after the audition. This is a great
opportunity for you to showcase your talent by adding a few musical pieces of different genres to show that you have
a versatile range. If you really want to get into a great performing art school like
Juilliard, an audition tape
gives you opportunity, out of the limelight, to put together a strong audition. Not only does preparing ahead of
time helps you to work out the kinks and calm your nerves (which would certainly be on high alert on the actual
day), but it gives you a tangible–visual–resume with which to impress the judges as they make their
final decisions.

Performing art schools come with some stress, but with careful consideration, ample planning, and a lot of drive you
can succeed. Thanks to your hard work you can make a career out of your passion and the tools you learned at your
performing art school.

Learn more about studying performing arts in the USA by reading our growing article collection.

Over time we will be updating this section and including more information for those who want to study
performing arts in the USA and for other countries, but please feel free to post your thoughts and comments on our
Facebook fan page or
Google Circle, and also follow us and post
questions through Twitter.

Featured Schools with Performing Arts Programs

Featured Schools with Performing Arts Programs

Latest Tweets

Get the International Student Newsletter!

About International Student

Our vision is to be the company that best recognizes and
serves the needs of international
students around the world. We strive to provide students
world-class resources to help them
investigate and pursue an international education, through
relevant content, custom online tools
and engaging websites that offer only best in class products
and services.